LL LIFE
Heroes on and off the pitch Marine FC’s cup-tie with Premier League highfliers Tottenham Hotspur threw the spotlight on the Mersey minnows. WILL RAYMENT reports on how they are putting their moment in the sun to good use
A
memorable FA Cup underdog story in Merseyside has provided much-needed help to the Crosby community. Marine in the Community (MITC) is a charity organisation with links to Marine AFC, who reached the third round of the FA Cup to face Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur. The charity has been busy during lockdown, offering a range of skills and services to many different target groups. The organisation has already provided free lunches, quizzes and local information from Sefton Council to vulnerable people who may be shielding and unable to leave their homes amidst the Covid pandemic. This has been done in partnership with Radfield Home Care who also offer a friendly chat and a chance to share any concerns or worries. Its close ties with the football club has been a real boost to the community of Crosby. For example, the director of Marine in the Community, Graeme Gardiner, is also on the committee of the football club. Tom Clarke, who works for both the football club and the community, said: “The Club support the community work incredibly. “The FA Cup run has been extremely beneficial, as part of the virtual tickets campaign was an option to donate to MITC, which raised thousands of pounds for the charity. “This money will go towards a fund to purchase a minibus to help our community, which we are raising money for via a JustGiving page.” The minibus will provide travel for the vulnerable in the area as well as transport for the local schools they work with. The non-league club, with the aid of Tottenham fans all around the country, sold more than 32,000 virtual tickets for the Third-Round clash,
breaking the Marine Travel Arena’s attendance record. The FA Cup tie was broadcast on BBC One, with the Northern Premier League North West Division side finally dropping out the competition, losing 5-0 to one of Europe’s elite footballing sides. The club decided to set up a virtual ticket scheme as due to lockdown measures, fans were unable attend the biggest game in the club’s history, which would’ve provided beneficial income for Marine AFC.
M
arine in the Community have recently set up free Zoom lessons aimed at older people in the area to stay in touch with their families and friends. Tom, the social media manager for Marine, said: “We will offer roundthe-clock support if people are having issues as well as weekly tuition sessions with myself and first-team player Mike Howard. “We also offer coaching for firstteam players to local schools, and we have weekly Walking Football sessions for older people on the pitch at the Marine Travel Arena, as well as our Walking Group which encourages people to stay active and socialising.” Mr Clarke says the atmosphere of the group is refreshing and valuable: “I find the community work extremely engaging, helping our vulnerable people and putting a smile on their faces is priceless, and makes all of our hard work more than worth it. “In a time like this, people rely on community even more and we have made sure we are there as much as possible to provide support whenever people need it. “The next step is to help people come out of the pandemic in a healthy, safe and sociable way.”
GOOD WORKS: How the club is using its resources to reach out and help the community Photos © Marine in the Community
15
